Siôn Corn: Welsh Father Christmas Figurine

Y Ddraig Goch Christmas Tree Decoration

What could be more Welsh than Y Ddraig Goch, the Red Dragon of Wales? (Don't think I can't hear you muttering 'sheep' and 'rain' at your computer screen. You're not funny, you know.)

This hardboard ornament measures 3.5" wide by 2.5" tall. It will add a ferocious bit of Welsh pride to your Christmas tree. Then you can leave it out for St David's Day at the beginning of March. Two holidays for the price of one!

Welsh Flag Christmas Tree Ornament

Baner Cymru Christmas Tree Decorations

If the hardboard version isn't doing it for you, then there are plenty of alternative Y Ddraig Goch decorations to hang on your Christmas tree.

Like the two over on the right.

Let me throw in a quick pronunciation guide:

Baner Cymru = banner cum-ree

Y Ddraig Goch = ee thray-g goh-ch

The last 'ch' there is soft, like in 'loch' or the 'c' in 'cat'.

The Red Dragon has been the symbol of Wales since Lludd (and later Merlin) had a vision down in a cave. It appeared on the flags, whenever the Welsh had a presence on the battlefield, in the 12th century; and Owain Glyndŵr raised in when he liberated Wales in 1400.

Today it flies in an official capacity over every governmental building in Wales; and unofficially over everything else! (There's one in the back of my car.)

Nadolig Llawen Christmas Ornaments

Welsh Corgi Angel Christmas Tree Topper

Corgi Welsh Christmas Tree Topper

Is it wrong that I have the giggles? It's an angel with a corgi head. I reserve the right to smile over this one, as it's surely meant to be humorous.

Of all the dogs in Wales, the corgi is the most famous, mostly because Queen Elizabeth II loves the breed so much. She always has at least four running around Buckingham Palace; though not on top of her Christmas tree.

Originally, these dogs were running around the Pembroke and Ceredigion hillsides, herding sheep. Many of them still are!

Corgi is also famous for being one of the most successful infiltrations of the Welsh language into English. The name is Welsh - cor means 'stunted' or 'dwarf' and ci means 'dog'. Cor + ci = dwarf dog, though the 'c' mutated into a 'g', hence 'corgi'.

Welsh Christmas Tree Baubles

The Welsh Corgi (so beloved of the royal family) appear to be in vogue this Christmas, but there's also one with Nadolig Llawen in festive gold.

Winter River Dee Snowflake Ornament

Is it good or bad that I know exactly where this photograph was taken?

The Deeside Caffe-Bistro (no, I didn't misspell cafe, it's Welsh) has a little platform right over the River Dee in Llangollen. You can sit on tables and chairs there, though probably more so in summer.

The photographer was either on there, or hanging right over the stone wall of the bridge above.

Frankly, I don't blame them! Llangollen is beautiful at any time of year, but the winter snows add an even greater wild beauty to the rapids of the River Dee.

So interesting! Now I know about the Red Dragon and more about corgis!! Ah, and learned a few other things as well, including some Welsh.:) I'm fascinated by what this language looks on paper, and like the sound of it (thank you for the Silent Night song!)

I want to know more about the Red Dragon!! So interesting that a fantastical creature shows up on a flag. I guess you didn't write more about it because people know about it, but I find it fascinating.